Disney Is Considering Reimagining Dinoland U.S.A. Into A New “Tropical Americas” Land That Would Include ‘Encanto’ and ‘Indiana Jones’
Disney is doing some more blue sky dreaming as they are now considering adding Encanto and Indiana Jones to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Dinoland U.S.A. is on the chopping block.
Ever since D23 Expo 2022, the dinosaur-themed land has been discussed as a potential plot of land to reimagine. Once again at Destination D23 2023, it was revealed that Walt Disney Imagineering is planning to reimagine Dinoland U.S.A. into a brand new land inspired by the Tropical Americas. The key word is that Imagineering is planning on doing this, nothing is officially set in stone.
However, this Tropical Americas land seems a bit further along than the previous Moana/Zootopia combo. Animal Kingdom already has representation for Africa and Asia, so Imagineers decided to look at the Tropical Americas which is the northern part of South America and stretching up into Central America. Imagineers are researching the region which has been used for inspiration in countless Disney stories.
Walt Disney Imagineering is planning on using Encanto and Indiana Jones as the two properties for the reimagined land. Imagineering has been keen on creating Encanto experiences for the Disney Parks. Encanto was originally presented as a possible option for a Beyond Big Thunder expansion at Magic Kingdom. Indiana Jones shares the same exact ride system as Dinosaur, and rumors have persisted for years that Disney has wanted to add an actual Indiana Jones attraction at Walt Disney World.
Once again it seems like Walt Disney Imagineering is pivoting from using just one intellectual property per land to using multiple intellectual properties per land. Although both Encanto and Indiana Jones don’t fit with the overall theme or message of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the two properties make a ton of sense for a Tropical Americas land. If this plan ever makes it past the finish line, it could serve as a huge turning point in the history of Animal Kingdom. It’s possible an All New, All Different Animal Kingdom may be on the horizon.
There is still a long way to go on this project, and Disney hasn’t officially greenlit the project yet. So if you’re a fan of Dinoland U.S.A. and Dinosaur you still have time to visit and experience the land. The likelihood we hear about this project again would be at D23 in 2024, meaning we likely will have Dinoland U.S.A. through at least next year.
Are you excited about the possibility of this land?
Be sure to continue to follow Boardwalk Times for more coverage of The Walt Disney Company.
Support Boardwalk Times on Ko-Fi.
Support Boardwalk Times by shopping on Boardwalk Store:
If you like this article. Subscribe to my free newsletter Boardwalk Times: Stories from the Seashore, a monthly dose of Disney, its businesses, and the wider themed entertainment industry.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
